Indonesians Angry at Malaysia

On January 24, a 50-year-old migrant worker was shot dead, and 4 others were injured after the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency opened fire on their boat for allegedly trespassing in waters off Tanjung Rhu Beach, Selangor.

In a statement on January 25, Indonesia’s foreign affairs ministry said a day after the incident, the shooting happened while the 5 of them were trying to leave Malaysia illegally.

100 protestors gathered to throw eggs at the Malaysian embassy in Indonesia’s capital. The ministry has called for a full investigation into whether the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency used excessive force.

Following the incident, nearly 100 protesters from different rights groups and trade unions gathered outside the Malaysian embassy in Indonesia’s capital to throw eggs at it. The eggs ended up covering Malaysia’s state symbol on the embassy gate, and the building itself had egg stains and broken shells all over it.

The group urged their president not to turn a blind eye to the killings of Indonesian migrant workers. Migrant Care, an advocacy group for Indonesian migrant workers, said this was just another case in a long list of deaths involving Indonesian workers, allegedly at the hands of Malaysian authorities.

Migrant Care said their records showed at least 75 similar killings since 2005. The group urged Indonesian President not to ignore these migrant deaths just to avoid tensions with Kuala Lumpur. During a recent visit to Malaysia, the president promised to work with the Malaysian government to address migrant worker issues.

Also, a 40-year-old debt collector was killed by multiple gunshots at a Johor Bahru restaurant while eating lunch with friends.